Find Housing in York Region

York Region is a fast growing community that offers housing options for everyone. You can live in cities, in smaller towns, or in the country. Cities offer people a wide variety of services and activities. Country living offers people quiet, natural settings.

There are several different types of housing options to choose from:

A single detached house is not attached to any other house. This type of home offers privacy and has a high resale value.

A semi-detached house is one building with two houses. It offers some privacy and a good resale value.

A town house or row house means more than three homes side-by-side. Town houses have the advantage of security and less exterior maintenance. Some have shared amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts.

Condominium/Apartment buildings contain many homes in one building usually called units. York Region has many condominiums (also called "condos"). Condominiums are housing units that people own within the same building or townhouse complex. Owners share the expense for common areas and facilities. Apartment buildings in York Region can be from three to 30 storeys in height.

Finding a Place to Rent

York Region Social Housing provides information about how to get on the waiting list for social housing. Social Housing provides affordable rental housing for people whose income prevents them from finding adequate housing in the private rental market. Many people who live in social housing pay a rent that is based on their income.

Buying

The cost of housing in York Region depends on the type of home and its location. Most people borrow money from a bank to help pay for their home. This is called a mortgage. To buy a house, you need to have a credit rating. In addition to the mortgage costs, additional costs include property taxes, utilities (water, heat, electricity, etc.) and insurance.

Real Estate Agents

Real estate companies have agents that can help you buy a home. Many companies and agents have listings in the telephone book and local newspapers. Real estate agents know the communities in York Region and can show you homes in your price range. They work to find a house that meets your needs, for example, near a school or close to public transit.

Housing Services in York Region

York Region is an attractive community. With more than one million residents and 29,000 businesses employing 495,000 people, our Region is rich in diversity and opportunity. A place people are proud to call home.

But the fact is, the cost of living in our Region is rising and low to moderate income households are having trouble keeping up. To be affordable, housing costs should consume less than 30 per cent of your income. For those in our community that find themselves struggling each month to make ends meet, York Region offers a variety of housing support programs.

Emergency shelters provide temporary housing for individuals or families who are homeless or who are fleeing dangerous situations. The Community Services and Housing Department helps eligible shelter residents by providing financial support for board and lodging.

Links

For more information about housing in York Region and Ontario:

Home Repair Grants for Seniors and people with a disability - The York Region Home Repairs for Independent Living pilot program is now accepting applications from residents. The program provides grants to eligible people with a disability or seniors who need to make repairs to their home to increase accessibility and improve safety. The program provides grants up to $5,000 to eligible people to help with home improvements. For eligibility requirements and the application, please email homerepairs@york.ca, call 1-888-256-1112 (TTY 905-762-0401)

Facts

There is a wide range of costs for housing. The cost of living in York Region is about the same as the cost of living in many other cities across Canada. Housing is a large part of your living expenses.

A house is called a residential property. A building used for the purpose of business is called a commercial property.

Whether you buy or rent, you should have insurance for your home and belongings. You can obtain insurance from private companies and most major banks.

Information available through Toronto Real Estate Board indicates that in 2012, York Region’s average resale values were as follows: